Beauty and the Cursed Troll

The diamond ring on my finger felt heavier than Adrianna’s words.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Adrianna is already striding away. I was left alone with the weight of her words crushing my heart.

Perhaps I was wrong. All it takes to destroy me and my future is from the words of a woman I just met minutes ago.

Did I just run away from a pack of chaos and jump right in the pack that has bombarded me with betrayal?

I think this is really my punishment for all those years: from Alpha Heather’s betrayal to Adrianna’s outright claim of my fiance.

I’m finally doomed after all these years of hiding and running away.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and went to wash my hands, my face, and even fixed my hair. I’m not going to act like I'm defeated in front of Heather. Adrianna might have won with the way of her words, but I’m still standing here.

Alpha Heather will still come home to me. The diamond ring around my finger proves it.

Or maybe it’s the fancier leash he chained around my finger?

Here I am, all along thinking that his engagement ring is his new promise of a better tomorrow. It turns out, it was just a jewel carved from lies.

I can’t believe Heather took her in the bed we’d shared for seven years without hesitation. He’d tainted every memory we made, destroyed further chances of us making love.

“I will fight back. I will survive.”

The tears stung my eyes, but I wouldn't let them fall again. Not now. Not until I was alone, away from their wicked smiles and judgmental glances.

“It’s showtime,” and then I exhaled.

***

As soon as I was back, Heather and Adrianna sat across from each other, still holding their act. I feigned ignorance as if Adrianna didn’t just confess everything between them earlier.

I forced my stomach to not twist as I slid into the empty chair beside my Alpha.

Right. I am his fiancee at this moment, in this hour, in this year. Not Adrianna.

“What the hell did you do to Adrianna?” Heather blurted, putting down his wine glass with a thud that only meant he’s angry. Very angry.

“What?” I glared at him, astonished by the sudden shift of his tone and voice. “I didn’t do anything.”

“That’s the phrase that liars always use.”

“And what about you?” I growled. “Aren’t you a liar yourself? You never told me that Adrianna is your ex-fiancee!”

Adrianna’s red lips blossomed into her signature grin at the outright chaos that quickly erupted on the table. If only I could shift at this very heartbeat, my claws will literally tear off that malicious look on her face.

“Stop being so naive and playing innocent again, Farrah.” He slammed a hand on the table, demanding. “Her mother just passed away and you dare tell her mother is nothing but...a whore?”

My mouth fell open, dizziness starting to rock my whole world. “I—hat? I never said anything about—”

“Just fucking stop lying!” He snarled, “Adrianna told me everything about your little chat in the restroom. I knew you could be jealous. But insulting a grieving daughter? That’s so cruel of you, Farrah.”

“She’s the one who called me a whore!” I hissed and stood up. Right, I don’t care if I go down tonight. At least, I wouldn’t go down without fighting. “Seven years really meant nothing to you in the face of her tears, huh, Heather?” I pointed at Adrianna, who’s glazed eyes are all the faking she could afford. Bitch can’t even compel a single tear to fall from her eye.

His voice dropped low in warning. “Farrah—”

“No, Heather. That’s fine. I think Farrah didn’t mean it. Perhaps I misheard or something.” She gestured to the guests. “We shouldn’t make a scene just because of a single word your fiancee said—”

“Shut up!” I finally exploded, bursting like a huge ball of flame and my anger is now spiraling and shooting in all directions. “Just shut up, you whore of a bitch!”

But the crack of Alpha Heather’s palm striking across my face rumbled like lightning through a silent field.

I gaped at what my fiance just did. What my Alpha boyfriend of seven years just did.

For the first time after seven years, a man had hit me again. And it was Alpha Heather. I don’t know if it’s a relief knowing it’s not my father.

The bite of betrayal lingered on my cheeks, cascading down to my heart. I stroked my cheeks, stained with red like Adrianna’s dress.

Adrianna gasped, the feigned horror on her face was more irritating than the slap. “Excuse me.

“Adrianna—wait!” Alpha Heather hastily runs after her. He didn't even spare me a single glance, leaving me alone in the sea of judgmental eyes clawing at me.

***

“Where to, miss?”

I cleared my throat and whispered off my address to the yellow cab driver.

Running away from a welcome party without barely eating bothered my stomach. But I ignored it.

I focused on my emotions. And I can no longer see clearly through the dark night and buzzing city with the tears falling from my face.

Seven years ago, I ran away from my father’s fists and my brother’s plea to stay. Seven years ago, I let a rival pack behead my father, set my pack on flames, and left my brother to face all of it.

It seems I didn’t really learn from the past. I let another Alpha hit me and make me cry again.

I guess I have no choice but to beg my brother this time.

My phone felt heavy in my pocket. But with my heavy tears and heavy heart, it felt lighter compared to those.

My brother. My father’s heir to the Alpha title. But Jacob still dared to protect me from the violence rippling out our father’s hands and feet. The only one who turned his muscular body as a shield to let me be saved from my father’s occasional beating.

I swallowed. Before I could hesitate further, I pressed the call button.

The line rings. Then another. And another.

On the third time, a deep and masculine familiar voice echoed on the other line. “Farrah?”